Watch Yorkshire MP Alec Shelbrooke's amusing reaction to call to raise legal age of tobacco sales

When the subject of raising the legal age of tobacco was floated in the House of Commons, it's fair to say this Yorkshire MP was not happy with the idea.
By Grace Hammond
Published 23rd Mar 2022, 13:02 BST

Elmet and Rothwell MP Alec Shelbrooke was sat behind Bob Blackman as he spoke in the Commons about raising the legal age of tobacco sales, meaning his reaction to the suggestion was caught on Parliament TV.

As Mr Blackman makes the suggestion of raising the age from 18 to 21, the Yorkshire MP is seen rolling his eyes and throwing his head back, much to the amusement of his fellow members and people on social media.

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Mr Blackman, who is the MP for Harrow East, also proposes a levy on the huge income of the tobacco companies, to which Mr Shelbrooke sighs and whispers to a colleague.

MP Alec Shelbrooke reacts to calls to raise the legal age of tobacco salesMP Alec Shelbrooke reacts to calls to raise the legal age of tobacco sales
MP Alec Shelbrooke reacts to calls to raise the legal age of tobacco sales

Mr Shelbrooke was previously elected to Leeds City Council in 2004 and re-elected in 2006 as councillor for Harewood Ward. In 2005, he unsuccessfully stood in the Wakefield constituency during the General Election, before being voted in as MP for Elmet and Rothwell in 2010.

The moment came as MPs spoke ahead of the Spring Statement, which was delivered by Chancellor Riski Sunak this afternoon.

Related topics:RothwellYorkshire